*******7:11 P.M. FEBRUARY 17*******
The Winter Storm Warning has expired this evening after most of our area reportedly received around 5 inches of snow.
While the snow has winded down (for the most part), our Public Works plowing teams will be working throughout the evening. Crews still are working on plowing snow routes (main arterial roads). Residential streets have received one pass in each direction with a plow, but crews will back in overnight with the larger trucks to clear the roads curb-to-curb. Final clean-up of cul-de-sacs also will take place overnight.
The City's contractor will be in overnight to clear downtown parking lots.
*******2:06 P.M. FEBRUARY 17*******
The Kane County Sheriff's Office has reported driving visibility as being compromised due to the snow and recommended staying off the roads until the storm has passed.
We have had our large plow truck crews working on snow routes since this morning. This crew will continue to stay on our main arterial streets until the snow stops, which isn't expected until tonight.
The small plow trucks are starting to make one pass in each direction down residential streets, but it will take a few hours to complete the entire City given the current conditions.
Geneva has reached 2 inches of snow as of 1:40 p.m. today, so police officers have been instructed to start ticketing vehicles violating the City's snow parking regulations on snow routes. It would be a good idea, if you haven't already done so, to remove parked cars off residential streets as well since we are likely to exceed 3 inches (Forecast calls for 4 to 8 inches, possibly 10 in some areas).
The City's snow contractor will be in tonight to plow downtown parking lots. We are in the process of clearing downtown sidewalks.
If you know somebody that needs to get off the roads today, the Comfort Inn is offering a special snow rate of $70. Call the hotel at 630-208-8811 for more details.
The Winter Storm Warning continues until 6 p.m. tonight.
*******8:29 P.M. FEBRUARY 17*******
The National Weather Service has upgraded the Advisory into a Winter Storm Warning now calling for 4 to 8 inches of snow with isolated amounts near 10 inches in some areas. The Warning runs until 6 p.m. tonight.
Snow will occasionally fall very heavily with some areas possibly receiving a crippling 2 to 3 inches per hour, especially early this afternoon. Roads will be snow covered and travel will be extremely difficult at times. Unnecessary travel should be avoided this afternoon. There is a chance for thunder within the heavier bands of snow this afternoon.
A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow are forecasted that will make travel dangerous. Only travel in an emergency and keep a flashlight, water and food in your vehicles if you must be out on the roads today.
A message from the Geneva Police Department:
If you must travel today, leave extra time to reach your destination, wear your seatbelt, and leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles. snow is expected to fall at the rate of 2-3 inches per hour.
This will make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for snow plow operators to keep up with the snow. Please give snow plows plenty of room to complete their work.
If the snow storm materializes as expected it is likely that snow parking restrictions will be needed. It is recommended that you remove your vehicles from the roadways.